Hillman, Dismang discuss current legislative session Friday

Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce Stephen Bell said more information on these topics and other bills coming before the state legislature would be up for discussion at a second legislature briefing in a few weeks.

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By Sarah Morris, smorris@stuttgartdailyleader.com

Stuttgart Daily Leader - Stuttgart, AR

By Sarah Morris, smorris@stuttgartdailyleader.com

Posted Feb. 11, 2013 at 12:37 PM
Updated Feb 11, 2013 at 12:41 PM

By Sarah Morris, smorris@stuttgartdailyleader.com

Posted Feb. 11, 2013 at 12:37 PM
Updated Feb 11, 2013 at 12:41 PM

STUTTGART

How the first use of Arkansas’ amendment 82 is played will set the tone of how the amendment is used later on.

“This is the first time we’ve used amendment 82 to get an industry to come to Arkansas,” Arkansas Rep. David Hillman, of Almyra, said. “And that is a big deal. Being the first, I want to make sure we do it right. I want to cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s and do our due diligence.”

Hillman said the issue focuses on the Big River Steel super project that was recently announced by state officials. A report of the project is expected to be delivered to legislators next week and, upon delivery, they would have 20 days to complete a study on the proposal and approve it before it becomes available elsewhere.

Once approved, Arkansas Sen. Jonathan Dismang said the legislature could deliberate as long as they want on passing legislation to enable it. “Even if we pass it, the speaker and the president pro tem both have the right not to sign, so ultimately it is their decision even after our votes,” he added.

Dismang, of Searcy, said, at face value, he wants it, but “we have to do our job as legislators to make sure it is a prudent decision because it is your money.”

Both Dismang and Hillman said it was likely to pass if the numbers added up right. However, Hillman said they need to make sure the process is completed correctly.

“This is going to be the template for anything else that comes under (amendment) 82,” he said. “And it’s one of the worst kept secrets in the state that we’re looking at another project that’s maybe not quite this big but has the potential of being this big dealing with timber down in southwest Arkansas.

“That would probably come up before the end of the year if they do 82 with that,” he said.

Amendment 82 along with term limits and abortion were among the topics discussed Friday afternoon when Dismang and Hillman both presented their first state legislature briefing at the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce.

Abortion

Dismang was also questioned about his support over the bills concerning abortion.

“I am pro-life and I personally believe life begins at conception,” he said. “These two bills — one is when pain can be felt by the baby and the other is when a heartbeat is detected (by ultrasound).”

He added that he has “a dedication to protecting those children after birth and making sure they are cared for and I think you see that reflected in my bills also.”

Page 2 of 2 - Both Dismang and Hillman said the majority of the calls received concerning the bills — over 200 alone for Hillman — have been in support. Hillman said he would vote as his constituents have asked.

“The way I look at this, in my mind, we have Roe vs. Wade and the Supreme Court said at some point abortion is allowed,” Hillman said. “At some point, abortion is allowed, at some point its not. Right now, that line is drawn at viability, which is about 23 weeks, but that has never been challenged below that so what these bills are doing is trying to find out is that really where the line is or is the line at six weeks or 20 weeks.”

Term limits

The term limits for state legislators are also being discussed. “If you want a good legislature, you don’t need to get rid of your experience,” Hillman said, adding that there have been several bills floating around about a constitutional amendment.

It’s a measure that could be perceived as a “little selfish” coming from legislators.

“I would much rather that come from the public than from the legislature,” Dismang said. “… I would rather it be the cities, counties and the chambers or whoever else take that up as what they think to be important and let them present that to the people, gather signatures and go through that process.”

Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce Stephen Bell said more information on these topics and other bills coming before the state legislature would be up for discussion at a second legislature briefing in a few weeks.